Financial assistance, to help with administrative efforts, has arrived on the eve of the new season for the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League and Super League competitions.

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), with funds from the Financial Assistance Programme (FAP) of FIFA, has stepped in to assist the professional and second-tier leagues in the tune of US$125,000 (TT$835,000).

TTFA president David John-Williams revealed via a press release on Saturday that the Pro League, which kicks off its 2017 campaign on Friday 9 June, and the Super League, which begins its season two days later on Sunday 11 June, will receive US$100,000 (TT$668,000) and US$25,000 (TT$167,000), respectively.

John-Williams, who was elected TTFA president in November 2015, said the move is to help bolster the administrative efforts of the Pro League and Super League.

“The TT Pro League has been the biggest provider of talent to the senior national teams over the last 15 years,” John-Williams added. “The employment opportunities provided in the Pro League is football’s contribution to the economy of the country.

“…And the Super League has provided opportunities for players who cannot be full time and still want to play at a decent level.”

This latest move by the John-Williams led administration comes days one week after the TTFA offered housing for the Pro League, Super League, Women’s League Football, Secondary Schools Football League, and the Referees Association at its new headquarters, the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, which became possible through the assistance of the Ministry of Sport and Sport Company.

“Now that our football has a home, we must now look at the economic and administrative stability of our stakeholders,” stated John-Williams.

“World football generates huge incomes but in the past the stakeholders in local football never benefited as they ought to have. (Also) the country has stadia but never a ‘home for football’ before our administration came into office. We are indeed thankful to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for its support in this regard. Both the Ministry of Sport and the Sport Company have really stepped up to ensure that football progress in a meaningful way.”

The TTFA boss concluded that every arm of football must become professional in their operations and that the local governing body is committed to driving the process.

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